COVID-19 Tsunami, Canada And Singapore Ban Immigrants From India

Airport illustration. (Unsplash/Chuttersnap)

JAKARTA - India recorded 314,835 daily positive cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Record-breaking numbers as well as concerns from countries in the world. Conditions that describe the worsening COVID-19 tsunami in India.

After Britain, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong suspended flights from India. Canada and Singapore have also banned flights from India in anticipation of the spread of COVID-19.

The Canadian government decided to temporarily ban passenger flights from India and Pakistan from Thursday evening local time, valid for the next 30 days, but does not affect cargo services.

Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu said Indians account for 20 percent of all international arrivals, representing more than 50 percent of positive tests conducted by Canadian airport officials.

"By eliminating direct travel from these countries, public health experts will have time to evaluate the ongoing epidemiology in the region and to reassess the situation," he told a news conference.

In addition, France has imposed a 10-day quarantine for travelers from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and India.

Meanwhile, according to The Straits Times, Singapore announced that they would not grant entry permits as well as transit permits through Singapore for those who had traveled to India in the past 14 days, along with the increase in COVID-19 cases.

"This measure takes effect from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, and includes people who have prior approval to enter Singapore, said Education Minister Lawrence Wong.

Additionally, people who have recently traveled to India and have not completed their 14-day stay-at-home notification (SHN) prior to 11.59 pm on Thursday night, must complete their additional seven-day SHN at a dedicated facility.

Later, they will undergo three coronavirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, namely when they arrive, on the 14th day of their SHN, and before the end of their SHN.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who together with Wong leads the multi-ministerial task force dealing with the pandemic, said Singapore is increasingly wary of the coronavirus, given the increasing number of cases and variants of the virus emerging around the world.

"The situation can escalate quickly, requiring a tightening of measures in Singapore," he said.